Herbal baths are sure promoters of postpartum healing and comfort. There are many herbs that can be used to soothe tender perineal tissue, heal tears and episiotomies, reduce inflammation, and even shrink hemorrhoids after a vaginal birth. They are also relaxing and antiseptic. If you don’t feel like fully immersing or don’t have a tub at home, try a sitz bath instead. A sitz bath is a basin that fits perfectly into your toilet seat and let’s you get a…
Women’s bodies have an incredible ability to make babies and breast milk. As a Lactation Educator and Counselor, I am often asked about ways to help increase breast milk supply. Herbs, like other plants we eat, nourish a mama’s body as it makes nourishment for her baby. Herbal galactagogues (Greek for ‘milk flow’) are nature’s gifts to lactating women, and have been used for centuries to help increase milk supply. Anise seed. A culinary spice and a digestive herb that helps…
I’m kind of obsessed with the Meyer lemon. Living in Southern California, we are fortunate to have beautiful mature Meyer lemon trees growing right in our back yard. It flowers intermittently throughout the year, but the main season of production is in the spring. The lemon is a medium sized, round fruit that has a gorgeous golden yellow color. The edible skin is shiny, and smooth with small pores. The rind of the Meyer is thin, and the fruit very juicy,…
Potato salad is one of those essential summer staples for barbecues, picnics and get-togethers. Packed with garden veggies and fresh herbs, this is another great recipe from one of my favorite vegetarian cookbooks that’s loaded with texture and flavor. There’s lots of room for creativity so try some of your own variations! Gather 6 medium potatoes, boiled in skins, cooled then cubed (I use red potatoes) 2 hardboiled eggs, chopped (optional, omit for Vegan) 1 medium bell pepper, diced (any color) 1 small cucumber,…
Herbs have been used for healing long before recorded history. The majority of childhood ailments tend to be mild and herbal remedies are considered safe, effective and are much gentler than conventional and pharmaceutical alternatives. Internationally known herbalist and educator Rosemary Gladstar says, “Administered wisely, herbs do not upset the delicate ecological balance of children’s small bodies as does much of modern medicine, but rather work in harmony with the young child’s system.” Herbal remedies along with plenty of rest,…
